Social engineering and phone scams in Lithuania

Lithuania has experienced a significant rise in financial fraud, particularly through phone-based social engineering. In July 2024, research indicated that 73% of fraud attempts in the country were conducted via telephone, resulting in approximately €1.26 million stolen from citizens within a single month. Specific police reports highlighted individual losses ranging from €4.5k to over €23k, with scammers frequently impersonating police officers, bank staff, or tech companies using apps like Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

By the second quarter of the year, the Money Laundering Prevention Competence Centre registered nearly 4,000 fraud cases, totaling roughly 5 million euros in losses. In response to these trends, the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau and telecommunications provider Telia have issued warnings emphasizing that the primary threat has shifted from technical hacking to the manipulation of human emotions. Authorities noted that while seniors are frequent targets due to their respect for authority, victims span all ages and education levels. To combat this, officials have released guidance to help citizens recognize tactics used to induce fear or urgency.

Recent data from the Financial Crime Prevention Competence Centre shows that fraud cases in the second quarter of 2026 reached nearly 4,000, marking a 66% increase compared to the first three months of the year. Criminals successfully stole approximately 5 million euros from individuals and companies during this period. In areas such as Alytus and Druskininkai, victims lost thousands of euros through fake websites and fraudulent visits from individuals posing as officials. To counter these threats, Telia and the Lithuanian Police have launched a joint initiative, recommending that citizens, particularly seniors, display prevention memos in their homes to help identify scammers.